Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD and a rating in excess of 20 percent as of September 1, 2012, for right knee instability following an incomplete VA examination. The case is now back before the Board.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the September 2022 VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination report. The examiner did not provide estimates of functional loss, failed to consider flare-ups or analogous episodes, and did not address whether there are times when the Veteran’s functional loss is consistent with ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete development, including a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records and must be scheduled for further VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The Board found no evidence of a current skin condition related to service, denied service connection for diabetes, and continued denial of service connection for a skin rash on face.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a bilateral eye disorder is dismissed. The issues of left leg and left knee disorders are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to service or his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran will need a new examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee conditions due to inadequate examination opinions.

The claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims.,The claims for service connection for tinnitus and right ankle disorder have been reopened, but are still pending as remanded issues.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent from February 1, 2008 to August 18, 2020 and at 20 percent beginning August 19, 2020. The rating for limitation of flexion remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cervical spine disability and right knee arthritis due to incomplete development. The VA providers are requested to provide addendum opinions on the etiology of these disabilities, considering all pertinent medical and lay evidence.

The Veteran's knee brace caused wear, tear, and/or irreparable damage to his clothing in the 2018 calendar year. The Board found sufficient evidence to grant a clothing allowance for this issue.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease were granted initial evaluations of 10 percent from July 16, 2012.

The Veteran's right knee disability necessitated a temporary total rating for convalescence from November 20, 2017 through January 31, 2018. From October 31, 2018 to December 31, 2018, he received a temporary total rating following an arthroscopy with allograft ACL reconstruction.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding her left knee and elbow disabilities and a VA examination for her back disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee arthritis, including knee replacements. The decision is based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be scheduled for new VA examinations to assess his service-connected back pain, flat feet, and right knee osteoarthritis due to worsening symptoms reported at his hearing.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability has been dismissed because the Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of documentation in the record regarding the onset or cause of his disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo further examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and a psychiatric condition due to new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development, including obtaining missing military records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressor.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show a current disability meeting VA criteria.